SD Victoria makes TV debut in BBC's new fantasy drama, Atlantis

Serco's training and support ship, SD Victoria made her first-ever television appearance at the weekend in the premiere of BBC One's new Saturday night fantasy drama, Atlantis.

SD Victoria, managed and operated by Serco, played host to cast and crew for an entire day on Saturday 22 June, enabling production company, Little Monster Films to shoot critical scenes in and around Portland Harbour, Dorset.

Eagle-eyed viewers would have spotted the vessel in the first episode -The Earth Bull - watched by 5.8m people, as the programme's young hero, Jason (played by actor Jack Donnelly) speaks with Mac (played by actor Mark Lewis Jones) onboard.

The BBC's action packed 13-part series is set in a world of legendary heroes and mythical creatures. Jason is on a personal quest to find his father when he uncovers the lost city of Atlantis. Aided by his two new friends, Pythagoras and Hercules, Jason embarks on a voyage of discovery, and salvation, which sees him brush shoulders with Medusa, come face-to-face with a Minotaur and even do battle with the dead.

SD Victoria is one of the largest of 120 vessels operated by Serco Marine Services in the UK and is based at Greenock's Great Harbour in Scotland. Built in Romania in 2010, the 83m training and support ship is available for commercial charter, but is primarily used to support military training and exercises as part of Serco's contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. This includes the transportation of personnel and military equipment and diving support operations. She is currently berthed at Devonport, Plymouth before shortly setting sail for her next task.

Serco's Peter Kennedy, the ship's Master, who was on aboard when filming took place, said: "We were delighted to be part of this exciting new BBC drama series. I'm sure that the programme will be as enjoyable to watch on the small screen as it was when the filming was taking place onboard."

Amanda Wilkie, co-producer for Atlantis added: "Serco's crew on board could not have been more helpful and accommodating. They provided us with the essential working environment for film making and Peter's skill in manoeuvring the ship into the precise position we needed for each shot - despite the choppy conditions - meant we achieved a successful day's filming.   It was a real pleasure."

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